What are the dates for the upcoming session?
The 2008 Session of Palmetto Boys State will begin on Sunday, June 8, 2008, and
concludes on Saturday, June 14th, 2008. You MUST be registered at the program
no later than 12:00pm on the 5th. Additionally, you must not leave the program
during the week.
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What should I bring with me to Palmetto Boys State?
First and foremost, bring a positive attitude, a solid work ethic and an open mind.
Boys State is NOT a recreational camp, so be ready to work while having fun.
Regarding supplies, please see our
Packing List.
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What should I leave at home?
There are a few things that you should not bring to Boys State. Things to
avoid bringing:
- Expensive jewelry, watches or any keepsake that would present a problem if lost
or stolen.
- Electronic equipment such as laptop computers, cell phones, pagers, PDA's, CD
players, stereo systems are not necessary at Boys State.
- Pre-printed campaign materials and supplies are prohibited.
- Water guns, toy guns and any other toy items deemed inappropriate by Boys State
staff are prohibited.
- Of course, any illegal drugs or controlled substances are prohibited and will
result in an immediate dismissal from Boys State. Prescription medication
should be cleared through the medical staff upon registration at Boys State.
- State laws prohibit the use of alcohol and tobacco products by minors. USC
is a smoke free environment. The use of alcohol or tobacco products by Boys
State citizens is prohibited. Violation of these rules will result in immediate
dismissal.
- Laser pointers and any other laser emitting devices are prohibited.
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What should I expect?
You should expect a fast-paced, high-energy educational program
designed to test your leadership, citizenship and scholastic abilities. You should
expect to compete with the best and brightest high school students in the state
of South Carolina.
You should expect to push yourself like never before. You should
expect to commit yourself to the program for the entire week and not allow yourself
to be distracted by outside influences. Finally, you should expect to leave
the program a better person than you were before you came. Learn more about what
to expect
here.
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Can I drive my car to the program?
Yes! You
are allowed to drive your own vehicle to Boys State. There is even a place for you
to park it. However, when you check in with your city
we are going to ask you for your
keys. This keeps you from having the urge to go cruising around Columbia.
At the end of the week, your car will be in the same exact spot as you left it.
Same mileage and all!
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Can I bring my laptop computer, stereo system, or other electronic equipment?
No. There is no need for you to bring most
of these things with you to Boys State. If you would like to bring a small radio
that is allowed, but Boys State cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items.
Because of the shear size of the program and the number of citizens we cannot keep
track of expensive and valuable belongings for nearly 1,000 students. As a special precaution
items of value can be locked up with your counselor, but please do not
bring items that have great financial value. Items such as computers, PDAs, pagers,
stereo systems and CD Players are not needed at the program so please leave them
at home.
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Can I bring my cell phone?
Citizens will be permitted
to use their cell phones only at designated times and places. PBS cannot be responsible
for the security of a Citizen's cell phone or its use. PBS is sensitive to the need
and desire for citizens to communicate with their families and friends. Nevertheless,
failure to follow PBS guidelines regarding the use of cell phones may result in
the loss of this privilege.
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What should I do to prepare for the program?
Get plenty of rest! Boys State is a fast-paced program. Also, read
the citizen's manual mailed to you prior to the Boys State program. The more you
know about the program the better you will fare. The manual contains all the pertinent
information about Boys State. You may also want to brush up on your public speaking
skills since you will need them!
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Can I bring a musical instrument?
If you are interested in participating in the band and chorus you are welcome to
bring your instrument. In fact, we enc ourage it!
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How much money should I bring?
We recommend
you bring about $40 - $60, whcih can be stored with the PBS Bank.
When you go through
registration, you have the opportunity to deposit your money into the bank for safe
keeping. You will be given a bankbook to keep track of your deposits and withdrawals.
The bank is conveniently located in the PBS Office.
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Can I bring my own campaign materials?
No. When you, the Citizens, arrive at Boys State, you
are all on a level playing field. You will have access to all of the things you
will need to produce your campaign materials while at the program.
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What offices can I run for?
There are elected offices on three levels - citywide, countywide and statewide.
You can run for any office you want whether it be Mayor
of your city, or Governor of the whole state. All it takes is determination and
the will to succeed.
If you do not win an election, run for another office. Boys
State runs on the leadership of its elected officials.
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What time do I have to arrive at Boys State?
Registration is Sunday morning, June 8.
All participants MUST be registered NO LATER THAN 10 a.m.
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What if I arrive late?
Please be at the program before 3:00pm on Sunday. If you cannot
arrive by this time, you MUST be there by 6:00pm. NO LATE ARRIVALS WILL BE ADMITTED
TO THE PROGRAM. NO EXCEPTIONS!
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Do I have to stay all week?
Yes!
Gaining the best experience possible at Boys State is dependent on your full participation
during the whole course of the program. You have been selected over many others
at your high school to attend this program. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,
leaving early not only wastes your sponsor's money, but also keeps another student
from the experience of a lifetime. Citizens may not leave the program prior to 8
a.m. on the final Saturday of the program.
Those who do not stay the entire week
will lose eligibility for scholarship money and college credit. Students should
commit to staying the entire week.
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Where is the program located?
The Palmetto Boys State program is located on the campus of
University of South Carolina, located in the heart of our state.
Learn more about USC.
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DURING BOYS STATE
Will I see other people from my high school during the week?
Probably. However, we try to take the students from the same high school and
place them in different cities. Because there are nearly 1,000 participants in the program, you will most likely not see your friends. When you leave the program, hopefully you will have made countless others from around the state.
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Can my best friend be my roommate?
No. We want you to have the experience of meeting new people. We try to divide up the students who come from the same high school into different cities.
The chances of you seeing one of your friends from home are very slim due to the sheer number of citizens at Palmetto Boys State.
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Are there phones so I can call home?
There are a few pay phones available for you to use. Every effort will be made for you to have the opportunity to call home, but time is limited. You will be able to call home periodically, but should not expect to do so every night.
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Will I have access to my email?
You will probably not have any way to access email while at Boys State.
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Can I have visitors while I'm at Boys State?
Yes. We welcome parents and other family members to come and see the program.
We do however, ask them to not interfere with the program...just observe.
Contact with your son will be limited and should not interrupt the flow of events during the week.
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What are the lodging arrangements?
You will stay in the university dorms for the entire week. You will have at least one and possibly two roommates. To learn more about what you might bring, see our packing list.
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What is the food service like?
The USC cafeteria in the Russell House provides dining facilities for the entire week. We provide three square meals a day with a variety of menu items during the week.
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What kind of sporting activities are available?
Beginning on Monday of the program, there will be an athletic period each afternoon before the evening meal. Every citizen is required to participate in a variety of sporting events.
Those events include: basketball, swimming, track & field,
and other sports as facilities are available.
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How much free time is there?
We keep you busy pretty much the whole week. During the day there may be some free time set aside, but this should be used to study for your schools of instruction.
Meals are also considered "free time" but you are required to sit with your respective city.
"Lights Out" is set at 10:30pm, but due to some events this may be pushed back. You may think this is too early, but at the end of each day, you will be tired. At 6:30am, everybody is up and preparing for breakfast which is at 7:00am in the cafeteria.
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Can I leave the campus during the week?
No. You must stay on campus during the entire week. The Boys State program takes place entirely on the campus of USC. If you leave campus, you are no longer able to participate in the program. We must have your complete attention throughout the week. Boys State program boundaries will be fully explained at the beginning of the week. We ask for your full cooperation. If you drive a car, we will ask you for your keys to help alleviate the temptation to leave the campus.
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I'm 18 years old, am I allowed to smoke?
Even if you are of legal age to smoke, USC is a smoke-free campus and smoking will not be tolerated.
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What is the political structure of Palmetto Boys State?
Boys State is a pure democracy in that every citizen is allowed to vote and participate in the political process. Each citizen will be assigned a political party prior to coming to Boys State. Boys State employs the two party political system. The two parties at Boys State are called the Federalist Party and the Nationalist Party. Neither party is associated with any real life political party. Each year, citizens develop their own party platforms and their own style of governing.
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What is a typical day like?
After reviewing the citizen's schedule you'll see that each day is packed with activity.
Breakfast starts at 7:00 a.m. and "Lights Out" is at 10:30 p.m. or later.
Schools of Instruction typically take place in the morning, lunch is at noon and city/county activities are in the early afternoon. Sports competitions are right before the evening meal and general assemblies featuring keynote speakers take place immediately after.
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Do I have to participate in all the activities?
Boys State is what you make it. If you don't involve yourself, you are missing out on a great opportunity. Every activity you involve yourself in earns points for your city. At the end of the week, the city with the most points earns the prestigious Harry S. Truman Model City award. The more you are involved, the better your city's chances of winning, and the more you will take away from the program.
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OTHER QUESTIONS
How long does the program last?
Palmetto Boys State lasts 7 days (Sunday to Saturday). Please consult the information packet sent to you with your acceptance. The session concludes after the awards ceremony, usually around 10:30 a.m. on the last Saturday.
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What scholarship opportunities are available?
You can learn more about scholarships
here.
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Can I receive mail while at Boys State?
Sure. Here's the address:
Citizen's Name
University of South Carolina
Palmetto Boys State
Housing/West Quad D
Columbia SC 29208
PBS City Name
803.576.9550 (tel)
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